COMMUNITY CELEBRATIONS: Wildwood marks Ukrainian Independence Day (09/02/01)

COMMUNITY CELEBRATIONS: Wildwood marks Ukrainian Independence Day

by Zenon Halkowycz

WILDWOOD CREST, N.J. - The third full week of August is known as "Ukie Week" in Wildwood Crest, N.J. Many Ukrainians from the tri-state area, as well as Canada and beyond, converge on Wildwood for fun in the sun. The time spent is rewarding: old friendships are renewed, new relationships are formed, Plast and SUM youths are spotted speaking to each other in Ukrainian.

This year's celebration of the 10th anniversary of Ukraine's independence was unique. For the past decade, Ukrainians have been celebrating Ukrainian Independence Day in their own small way on the beach. This year called for something special.

Michael Koziupa, a known community activist, started organizing Ukrainians on the beach, in the motels and just about anyplace there were Ukrainians. Olenka Halkowycz made posters announcing this event and with the help of City Councilman Stefan Tatarenko of Clifton, N.J., placed them strategically in various locations with Ukrainian and American flags.

On Friday, August 24, at 2 p.m., Mr. Koziupa stood with a large Ukrainian flag in front of the Park Lane Motel. Slavko Kuziw, a well-known Ukrainian businessman, filled blue and yellow balloons with helium and distributied them to the children gathered with their parents for the march to the beach for the festivities.

A group of about 15 people started walking towards the beach. Once on the sands, the Ukrainian college students and youths who gather at the rear of the beach started to join the march. By the time the group reached the beach area near the water there were close to a hundred people in the march. At the water's edge another group of about a hundred were already waiting. There, both Ukrainians and non-Ukrainians were waiting to see what was going to happen.

Orest Temnycky and his family had made a giant "tryzub" (or trident, the national emblem of Ukraine) in the sand. Everyone made a giant circle with Mr. Koziupa in the middle holding the Ukrainian flag.

Zenon Halkowycz opened the festivities by reminding all that Ukraine's 10th anniversary of independence should be celebrated joyfully and by noting that through the years all had contributed to its success.

The master of ceremonies introduced Stefan Tatarenko. Holding an American flag, he reminded the gathered Ukrainians that they are also Americans and asked a young boy to lead all in the "Pledge of Allegiance."

Mr. Halkowycz then introduced Mr. Koziupa as the chairman of the New Jersey Committee Celebrating the 10th anniversary of Ukraine's independence. Mr. Koziupa informed everyone of the official banquet to take place on September 22 at the Ramada Hotel in East Hanover, N.J.

Mr. Halkowycz then thanked all the participants for making time to honor Ukraine, its leaders and the many heroes throughout the centuries of the struggle for independence. Everyone then sang the Ukrainian national anthem "Shche Ne Vmerla Ukraina."

Afterwards the Ukrainian flag was placed at the head of the tryzub in the sand. During the whole afternoon grandparents and grandchildren, parents and children, and even couples came to the site to take pictures next to this unique expression of Ukrainian pride.

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